The Brave and the Bold: Green Arrow and Captain Boomerang

Thrown for a Loss

by HarveyKent

Part 1

Star City Convention Center was host tonight to a special meeting. A fast-growing group of political activists, calling themselves the New Freedom Party, had formed a third party to challenge the stranglehold of the Democrats and Republicans. Many felt their candidate, Jerome Howard, stood an excellent chance of capturing the Presidency in 1988, especially since neither of the other parties seemed to have a strong candidate to offer.

Tonight, the Star City Convention Center held a gathering of the NFP, a fund-raising gala to help bring their message of “common-sense government” to the people. The entertainment portion of the evening over, Howard took the podium and began to speak.

“For too long, the Republicans and Democrats have held the fate of our nation in an iron fist,” Howard began. “Both sides have lost sight of the true purpose of government, which is to serve the best interests of the people. They are only interested in power for themselves, and keeping the gravy train of incumbency rolling. Our party truly has the best interests of the people at heart. No more tax-cuts for wealthy fat cats. No more environmental laws written by the polluters themselves. No more trillion-dollar defense budgets and crumbs to education and welfare. With the New Freedom Party in office, America will truly be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people!”

Thunderous applause shook the convention center. Howard held up a hand to silence it, then began to speak again.

“I don’t ask you to put your faith in me, neighbors. I ask you to put your faith in the ideals I stand for. I ask you to — ARRGH!”

With a strangled scream, Howard pitched forward onto the lectern at which he stood. Cries of fear and concern went up from the crowd. Several people rushed to Howard’s side, but it was too late. Jerome Howard, the NFP’s best hope for the Presidency, was dead. Embedded in the back of his neck was a tiny dart, crimson in color. The only marking on it was an odd symbol: the letters OT inside a circle.

Part 2

“‘Lo, Arthur?” the familiar voice came through the JLA communicator. “It’s Ollie.”

“Oliver, hello,” Aquaman answered. The king of the seas sat at the communication console of the JLA satellite. “Wasn’t expecting you for another three hours. What’s up?”

“I need a favor, old buddy,” Oliver said. “I need to beg off relieving you for monitor duty. Something’s come up in Star City.” Oliver explained to Aquaman what had happened at the Convention Center. Aquaman frowned as he listened. “I was there, covering the event for the Daily Star. If I had been paying more attention, I probably could have stopped it.”

Aquaman heard the bitterness in Oliver’s voice, the anger at himself. “It wasn’t your fault, Ollie. You couldn’t have known.”

Oliver Queen’s anger went very deep, because he had been a supporter of the NFP. Their beliefs echoed his own on many points. “That dart was like a fingerprint,” he went on. “It has to be my old punching-bag, John Mallory, a.k.a. the Red Dart. Dunno why he’s turned political assassin, but when I find him he’s gonna turn into an intensive care unit.”

“What about the symbol you said was on the dart?” Aquaman asked. “The OT? Does that sound familiar?”

“No, it doesn’t,” Oliver said, in a more thoughtful tone. “I have no idea what that means. Ah, maybe Mallory’s buying his darts from a new manufacturer these days.”

“Ollie, do you want some help?” Aquaman asked. “I know I speak for the entire League when I say it’s yours for the asking.”

“I appreciate that, Arte, I really do,” Oliver said. “But really, all I want from the League right now is to be excused from monitor duty. This is personal for me.”

“I understand, Oliver,” Aquaman said. “Let’s see, I have Steel listed as your back-up tonight; I’ll give him a ring.”

“Much obliged, water dude,” Oliver said. “Tell the kid I’m sorry if I interrupted Cheers for him.” With that, Oliver rung off. Aquaman could sense the anger seething behind Oliver’s flippant tone. He hoped his old friend caught the Red Dart before the anger raged out of control. He knew only too well what that was like.

Part 3

“You’ve been a naughty boy, Digger,” Rick Flag chided his charge, as he led the curly-haired man in prison grays down a carpeted hallway. “Hooking up with Dr. Light and his gang of ne’er-do-wells. I would have thought you’d learned better by now.”

“Yeah, well, you’d have been wrong, wouldn’t yer?” Captain Boomerang retorted. “Look, what’s this all about? It’s recreation time in the prison, and I don’t want to miss me weekly card game with Captain Cold and the Rainbow Raider.”

“We have something to show you that could prove a lot more profitable than a card game,” Flag said, opening the door to a small room.

Boomerang snorted derisively at that. “I can see you’ve never watched the Raider try to hold a poker face. The pisser has no more self-control than Tobias Whale at a barbecue…”

Inside the room, Flag told Boomerang to seat himself. At the other end of the room was a white screen. Flag stood behind Boomerang, operating a slide projector.

“Slide show, eh?” Boomerang said. “I hope it ain’t yer bloody vacation pitchers.”

“No, I think you’ll find this a bit more interesting.” Flag doused the lights and turned on the slide projector. With a click of the button, an image of the Red Dart shone onto the screen. “This is John Mallory, alias the Red Dart. A common thief with a penchant for gold robberies, turned to costumed crook. Jailed twice by Green Arrow, once by the Atom.”

“Met ‘im,” Boomerang said. “The cobber tried out for the Secret Society of Super-Villains once.” The villain shook his head. “What a bleedin’ mess that was! Start an organization like that, and every bloke with a fancy costume and name thinks they’re prime material for it. Lemme tell you, there’s a reason why the Mad Mod never makes the headlines anymore.”

Flag ignored Boomerang’s commentary, and clicked the control button again. The image of the Red Dart faded away, replaced by a man in orange and purple costume.

“David Rennington, alias Dagger. Turned costumed crook when the family business of knife manufacture went bankrupt.”

“Never heard of ‘im,” Boomerang said. “No, wait; didn’t the Batman put him in jail a couple years back?”

“That’s right,” Flag said. “He was among the escapees when Ra’s al Ghul blew up the state pen. One of the few among that number who hasn’t been recaptured yet.” Another click; a blond man in yellow and blue costume appeared on the screen.

“Albrecht Krieger, alias Javelin,” Flag explained. “Trained for years to compete in the 1980 Olympic games; felt cheated when America pulled out of the games, and turned to contract assassinations. Captured by Green Lantern.”

“Hmph. Looks like a pooftah t’me.”

Flag ignored the comment and changed the picture again; this time a man in exoskeleton armor with a baseball glove on one hand.

“Darren Blueberry, alias Fastball. Ex-minor league baseball pitcher, expelled for gambling on his own games. Supplied with advanced weaponry by an alien entity; defeated by the Justice League.”

“Flag, is there a point to all this?” Boomerang demanded. “This is very entertainin’ and all, but why are you showing me this?”

Part 4

“Coming to it,” Flag said impatiently. Another click, and the picture was again replaced. This time by the symbol of the letters OT in a circle. “Does this mean anything to you?”

Boomerang shrugged. “Over time?”

“Close, actually,” Flag said. “That is the symbol of Over-Throws.”

“Would have been me second guess. What the bleedin’ hell is Over-Throws?”

“A contract assassination bureau, formed by four costumed villains who specialize in hand-thrown weapons,” Flag explained. “For a price they’ll take out anyone; political targets, celebrities, corporation heads, name it.”

“Lemme guess: the four drongos you showed me are Over-Throws. Crikey, what a name. And I thought the Crime Champions was nutty.”

Flag raised an eyebrow. “I never knew you were connected with that group.”

“Wasn’t,” Boomerang explained. “Met a couple of ‘em in the Secret Society. Chronos, Felix Faust…”

“Yes, well. In the past few weeks, several very important people have been assassinated by Over-Throws. Last night, Presidential hopeful Jerome Howard was slain in Star City by the Red Dart.”

“If you’re askin’ me where to find the cobbers, forget it,” Boomerang said. “Point A, I don’t rat out me colleagues, even losers like the Dart. Point B, I only met the drongo once, a long time ago. I wouldn’t know where to find ‘im if I tried.”

“That isn’t quite what we had in mind,” Flag explained. “We want you to infiltrate their organization.”

Boomerang gaped at Flag, as if unable to believe what he said. “What, join up wi’em then turn ‘em over to you? You’re nuts, Flag! Go pick on the Penguin, he’d sell out his own mother for–”

“Believe me, you weren’t my first choice for this assignment,” Flag said coldly. “You weren’t even on my top ten list. But I’m afraid we need you. The Over-Throws all use hand-thrown weapons. Only another villain with that modus operandi would stand a chance of getting inside the group.”

“And I’m the only one left, eh?” Boomerang sneered. “What, wasn’t there ever a Lawn Dart Man or Colonel Frisbee? Seems like the kind of bloke Batman would’ve fought, when he had his own TV show…”

“You’re the only one,” Flag insisted. “And before you dismiss the idea out of hand, it might be a good idea to listen to our offer. You could profit greatly by it.”

Boomerang’s eyes it up. “That so? Well, never let it be said that George Harkness passed up a chance for profit. I’m listenin’, guv’nor. What’s yer offer?”

“Complete the mission, and survive,” Flag began, “and you will receive immediate release from prison, and a full pardon for all past offenses up to and including any committed during completion of your mission. Short of murder, that is.”

Boomerang lifted an eyebrow. “Survive? You make it sound like a suicide mission, Flag.”

“It may be,” Flag admitted. “These men, as I’ve already pointed out, are killers. If you’re discovered, there’s little question as to what they’ll do to you.”

“It’s a challenge, right enough,” Boomerang said, stroking his chin. “I like a challenge. Fair dinkum, mate, count me in.”

Part 5

The wind whistled around Eddie Ash’s head as he hurried through the night. He hated winter, hated the cold. He wanted desperately to get inside, into the warmth. Callahan’s Crossroads Saloon was just a block away; soon he’d be getting warm from the inside-out.

“What’s your hurry, Eddie?” a gruff voice from the alley called. Recognizing the voice, Eddie gasped and doubled his pace. He didn’t get far; an emerald-hued arrow sank into the pavement in front of his feet. He let out a yelp and stopped dead.

“Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, you hurt my feelings,” Green Arrow said as he strolled out of the alley. “I might get the idea that you don’t want to see me.”

“W-what you want, Arrow?” Eddie stammered in terror. “I ain’t done nothin’! I’m clean, I swear!”

“Eddie,” Green Arrow said, shaking his head, “you couldn’t be ‘clean’ if you went through a car wash strapped to the hood of a DeSoto. Which isn’t outside the realm of possibility, not at all.”

“Aw, come on, Arrow, give a guy a break,” Eddie whined.

“I’ll give you several breaks, Eddie, all of them bones. Unless I like what you have to tell me.”

“A-about what?”

“The Red Dart. Chiefly, where he is.”

“Oh, man, no! I couldn’t do that! He-he’d kill me!”

“Only if he finds you, Eddie. You may notice, I’ve already found you.”

“OK, OK! Look, I don’t know exactly where he is. But he’s got a new gig, hits for hire. Contract killings. Got some friends in it with him, too.”

“Friends?” Green Arrow’s eyebrow raised slowly. “Who?”

“I dunno, other costumed clowns like him! I didn’t exactly get his brochure or nothin’! That’s all I know, I swear!”

“OK, Eddie. But if I find you’re holding out on me–” To finish his statement, Green Arrow whipped up his bow, drew an arrow and let it fly. Eddie screamed in terror as the arrow whistled past his ear. He heard it land with a loud THUNK. Turning his head, he saw it had landed in a mailbox clear across the street, directly in the center of the O in the word POST.

When Eddie turned back, Green Arrow was gone.

Part 6

“Evenin’ mates,” Captain Boomerang said affably, as he strolled into the Bar Sinister. This was a drinking hole frequented by men and women of Boomerang’s ilk: costumed criminals, relaxing in each other’s company. Boomerang was wearing a wire, transmitting everything to Rick Flag. He did not mind giving out the location of the Bar Sinister, for it changed frequently to avoid discovery. Many of Boomerang’s colleagues greeted him warmly as he strolled to the bar.

“Digger!” James Jesse, alias the Trickster, cried in pleased surprise, looking up from the pool table. He had been shooting pool with Cameron Van Cleer, the Killer Moth. “When did you get out?”

“Just yesterday, Jimmy, old sod,” Boomerang smiled. “And it’s good to be back!”

“I heard that. Listen, Mark is planning a job and needs some help. Want in?”

“Perhaps, Jimmy, perhaps. Let me blow the froth off a cold one first, then we’ll talk.” Boomerang walked up to the bar and slapped a five dollar bill on it. “Beer me until that runs out, Roy,” he said to the bartender. Roy Pinto, a former super-villain himself, smiled as he poured Boomerang’s beer. “Say, Roy, while I was in prison I bumped into an old mate of John Mallory’s. You know, the Crimson Dart or similar? Asked me to take a message to ‘im when I got out. Any idea where I can find the boyo?”

“That’s Red Dart,” a gruff voice from behind snarled, before Roy could answer. Boomerang turned his head, and looked at a tall, muscular man with close-cropped blond hair.

“Red Dart, right,” Boomerang said, unruffled. “Would you know where he is, mate?”

“My name is Javelin, and I am no mate of yours,” the blond man said stiffly. “As to the Red Dart, he does not associate with the likes of you anymore.”

“Hey, where do you get off, Krieger?” Roy snapped. “Digger here was making headlines while you were still training for the Olympics! Show some respect!”

“Respect?” Krieger sneered. “For a clown whose only claim to fame is getting jailed by the Flash on a regular basis?”

“Oh, right, matey. And you did so much better against Green Lantern,” Boomerang snorted.

Javelin bolted out of his chair. “You dare?” he demanded.

Boomerang put down his beer with a loud bang. “Yeah, I dare. What of it?”

“Go for your weapons!” Javelin snarled, hand whipping to his belt.

Part 7

Boomerang calmly took another sip of beer, set the mug down gently on the bar, and eased up off his stool.

“Whenever you’re ready, cobber,” he said politely. Every head in the bar was turned to watch the confrontation.

Javelin snarled and hurled a yellow javelin at the elder villain. Halfway through its flight, the javelin split into three, headed for Boomerang from different angles.

Captain Boomerang whipped a boomerang from his bandolier and hurled it. It whistled through the air in a wicked arc; all three javelins speared it as it flew, and they fell harmlessly at Captain Boomerang’s feet.

Javelin stared wide-eyed at the spectacle. Captain Boomerang stifled a yawn.

“Roy,” Boomerang said, “give the kid another of whatever he’s having. On me.”

Javelin strode up to Captain Boomerang, a fierce expression on his face. Tension crackled in the air between them for a long moment; then the blond young man burst into laughter.

“My friend!” Javelin barked, clapping Boomerang on the back. “Come and let us drink together!”

Everyone in the bar laughed at the spectacle, then gradually returned to what they were doing. In one corner, the Signalman was desperately trying to beat his high score on the battered old pinball machine.

Part 8

Green Arrow sat on a rooftop in Star City, eating his dinner from a white paper sack with a golden “M” on it. Not the haute cuisine he was once used to, but good enough while awaiting information from his valued source.

The ace archer was halfway through his filet o’fish when his cellphone beeped. He swallowed quickly and answered the call. “Rick? That you? I didn’t expect you to call for another hour.”

“An hour? GA, I thought you knew me better than that,” the young voice came through the phone.

“I do,” the archer grumbled. “That’s why I don’t bother routing your calls through a satellite maze, or something. If you wanted to, you could trace ‘em anyway.”

“I appreciate your trust, Green Arrow, I really do,” Rick said.

“You’ve earned it, kid. Now, what have you got for me?”

“I tapped some news databases,” the boy explained. “Searched for unsolved assassinations in recent months; cross-referenced with darts, and with other weapons used by known super-criminals currently at large. Then I hacked a few Swiss bank files, searched for large deposits around the times of the killings. After that–”

“Kid,” Green Arrow said wearily, “when I want chapter and verse I’ll ask for it. Right now, you got an address for me?”

Rick chuckled on the other end. “Won’t believe me when I tell you. Golden Pyramid Mall.”

“Huh?” Green Arrow said, confused. “Isn’t that the shopping mall they built outside Star City–”

“And never opened,” Rick said. “Went bankrupt shortly after construction completed; couldn’t find any tenants. Been sitting there empty for four years.”

“Hmm. And the name would appeal to the man I’m looking for,” Green Arrow mused. “Thanks, Rick. Send me your bill.”

“Will do,” the teenage computer genius said, before hanging up.

Part 9

“Yes, this is Mr. Tradder. I want to confirm a deposit to my account, number 230695. Yes, I’ll hold.” The Red Dart hummed slightly to himself in the short silence. “I see. Thank you very much. You, too. Goodbye.” The masked villain hung up the phone, and turned to his partners. “The balance for the Howard hit went through without a hitch.”

“I knew it would,” Fastball joked. “Texans place a high value on human life. In this case, ten million dollars.”

“Say, John, I’ve been thinking,” Dagger said. “What if we branched out our business a little? Say, blackmail? We’ve got quite a hold over the people who ordered these hits, especially this last one!”

“Hmm,” Red Dart said thoughtfully. “Ordinarily I’d veto that suggestion, on the grounds that we’d scare away potential clients by blackmailing our old customers. But this one… we could possibly gain far more by blackmailing him than we ever could doing contract hits!”

“Especially if this hit has the results he’s hoping for,” Fastball added, “namely his political aspirations.”

“True,” Red Dart acknowledged. “It could go either way in November, but if it goes that way… well, we’ll see, won’t we?”

“Wonder what’s keeping Al?” Dagger asked. “He’s been out a long time.”

“Don’t let him hear you call him Al,” Fastball warned.

“He’s probably just having fun,” Red Dart said. “Can’t say I blame him. Well, we won’t have to hole up in this deserted shopping mall much longer!”

As if on cue, the villains heard the door open, and loud laughter echo down the hallways. Moments later Javelin staggered into the room, arm in arm with Captain Boomerang. They were singing a bawdy song, and singing it far off-key.

“Krieger!” Red Dart snapped. “What do you mean, bringing an outsider in here?”

“He’s no outsider,” Javelin said defensively. “He is mein freund… I mean, my friend. Gentlemen, I present to you, Colonel Boomerang!”

“That’s Captain Boomerang,” the newcomer corrected. “But you can call me Digger. Evenin’, mates.”

“A pleasure!” Fastball said enthusastically, rising to shake Boomerang’s hand. “I’ve followed your career for years; I’m a big fan of your work!”

“Much obliged, sport,” Boomerang smiled affably.

“Boomerang, what are you doing here?” Red Dart demanded. “Shouldn’t you be building a giant rocket-powered boomerang, or something?”

“Now, Johnny, is that any way to talk to an old acquaintence?” Boomerang asked. “Me new mate here kipped me to your setup. I’d like in.”

“Of all the colossal — Krieger, how could you get drunk and babble our whole plan to this — this–”

“Who says I am drunk?” Javelin demanded angrily. “I am in complete command of my cafulties! I am–” Javelin reeled slightly on his feet. “I am suddenly very tired. I believe I will sit down.” The costumed athlete gingerly lowered himself into a chair.

“John, why don’t we let Boomerang in?” Dagger asked. “He’s been doing this longer than any of us, except you. OK, his track record isn’t that impressive, but which of ours is, really?”

“That’s the spirit,” Boomerang added enthusiastically. “I’m tired of getting thumped by costumed cobbers. I like the idea of keeping a low profile, striking from the shadows! I’ve gotta compliment you on your idea, Dart, and I’d really like to be a part of it. What say?”

Red Dart frowned, considering it. Being turned down by the Secret Society still stung, but he couldn’t deny that Captain Boomerang would be an asset to the Over-Throws. “Well… what the Hell. Welcome aboard, Digger!”

Part 10

Captain Boomerang smirked to himself. He felt the wire of the radio transmitter against his chest. All he had to do was get the Dart and his clowns to convict themselves, and his deal with Flag was sealed.

“So, what’s our next job, Dart?” Boomerang asked. “I’m itchin’ to get my hands dirty!”

“We’re between clients right now,” Red Dart explained. “Won’t be long before another job comes in, though. The Howard hit went off so smoothly, that’s the best advertisement.”

“Oh, the Howard hit?” Boomerang asked. “That was you guys?”

“Of course,” Fastball said. “Why do you think we used a red dart? Advertising!”

“Yeah, when Darren or I do a hit, it’s not so obvious,” Dagger said, balancing a knife by its point on his index finger.

“Is that right?” Boomerang asked. “Have you guys done any hits I might have heard of?”

Fastball smiled. “Ever heard of…”

The bragging villain was interrupted by the sound of breaking glass. Before anyone could react to the sound, an emerald arrow landed in the floor in the center of the room, shaft vibrating from the impact.

“Green Arrow!” Red Dart barked. “We’ve been found!”

Captain Boomerang glanced up to see Green Arrow perched in the broken window, aiming an arrow down into the room.

“You’ve found some interesting friends, Mallory,” the archer growled. “Too bad I’ve found you!”

Boomerang smiled as he fingered a boomerang in his bandolier. What a bonus! Green Arrow was the cobber who queered the last Society deal; it’d be sweet to pay him back for it!

But — Flag said his immunity didn’t extend to murder. If he killed the archer, or helped kill him, the deal would be off! Captain Boomerang would have to sit this one out.

But the wire! Flag was listening to every word, every sound! If Boomerang stood by and let the others kill Green Arrow, Flag’d consider it as bad as if he’d done it himself and toss him back in the clink!

But what could he do about it? He couldn’t protect the archer; the others would know he’d betrayed them, and he wouldn’t last longer than a dingo in hunting season!

Oh, bloody hell!

Part 11

“Don’t just stand there!” Red Dart barked furiously. “Get him!”

“Get who?” Javelin asked drowsily.

“Green Arrow, you lush!” Dagger snapped. “We’ve been discovered!”

“Green Arrow!” Javelin cried, leaping to his feet. “Long have I wanted to match skills with him! I–” The blond athlete swayed woozily on his feet, color draining from his face. He dropped to his knees behind a crate, and retched loudly.

“Nice gang you got together, Mallory,” Green Arrow laughed, firing an arrow. “Where’d you find ‘em, Losers R Us?” The arrow exploded into a thick cloud of dark smoke, that quickly enveloped the room.

“Nice try, archer, but I’m prepared for that trick!” Red Dart snapped, hurling three darts at once. The darts had tiny internal vacuum motors that whined loudly as they flew, sucking in most of the darkening smoke. As the black cloud cleared to a grayish mist, a tall muscular figure was seen in the center of the room. A figure holding a bow.

“I’ve got him!” Dagger called, hurling a knife. “Remington steel cuts deep, Arrow!”

But Captain Boomerang hurled a boomerang from the opposite side of the archer. The missile arced around Green Arrow, and the knife buried itself in the boomerang, sending both weapons clattering to the floor.

“Boomerang, you idiot!” Dagger roared. “I had him!”

“You had him, you overrated sushi chef?” Boomerang growled. “You loused my shot! Stay out of me way in future, eh?”

“Boys, boys!” Green Arrow chided, quickly drawing and firing two arrows, one in each villain’s direction. “Can’t we all just get along?”

Captain Boomerang, experienced at quick-moving opponents, was narrowly able to dodge his arrow. Dagger was not so lucky; the arrow struck him in the arm, delivering a non-lethal, but debilitating, electrical shock.

Part 12

Captain Boomerang had to be very quick on his feet indeed. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Fastball going for one of his explosive spheres. He had to make this one look good, after last time; so he selected a boomerang that produced a sonic scream when thrown. Boomerang hurled it and it whipped around Green Arrow’s head. The archer grimaced in pain and clapped his hands over his ears as the high-pitched whine assaulted his hearing. But, just as Captain Boomerang planned, the boomerang collided with Fastball’s explosive sphere just as it left his glove. The resultant explosion hurled the ex-baseball pitcher clear across the room.

“Boomerang, you idiot!” Red Dart snarled. “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

“Nobody’s, anymore,” Green Arrow declared, firing an arrow at the costumed Australian. This time, Boomerang wasn’t quick enough, and became ensnared in a rapidly-unfurling net.

Suddenly, Green Arrow’s bowstring snapped with a loud twang. He stared down at the ruined bow in surprise.

“Ha!” Red Dart laughed. “Didn’t think I could hit your bowstring from here, did you?”

Part 13

As he struggled in the net, Captain Boomerang chuckled at Green Arrow’s plight. “This is perfect!” he thought to himself. “Mallory’ll kill the cobber for dead cert! And seein’ as how I’mm stuck in this cockeyed croc-trap, I can’t be blamed for not stoppin’ it!”

But Boomerang was to be disappointed. Green Arrow stared at his ruined bow, then tossed it away with an expression of disgust. “The day I need a bow to take down the likes of you–!” He began striding purposefully toward Red Dart, fists clenched.

Red Dart started in fear, then recovered himself and hurled a dart at the approaching archer. He expected Green Arrow to dodge it, to one side or the other, or to duck; what the archer did was dive forward, and tackle the Red Dart football-style. He drew his right fist back, preparing to strike the villain.

“Stop!” Dart cried, holding up his hands pleadingly. “I give up! I surrender!”

“You do?” Green Arrow asked, pausing. “I don’t accept it.”

Part 14

Captain Boomerang winced as he heard the THUD of Green Arrow’s fist smashing into the Red Dart’s face, and the CRUNCH of the villain’s nose splintering. He looked, and saw Green Arrow staring down at the unconscious villain, as if contemplating more violence.

Just then, half a dozen men in dark suits and sunglasses burst into the room. All carried pistols, which they aimed around the room at various incapacitated super-villains. The man in charge of the raid came up to Green Arrow.

“Nice work, Green Arrow,” he said, not amiably. “We’ll take it from here.”

“Will you now?” Green Arrow asked. “And who is ‘we’?”

Rick Flag flashed his identity card. “Richard Flag, special agent. We’ve been on the trail of these guys for weeks now. Guess we caught up to them about the same time you did.”

“Looks like,” Green Arrow said, with undisguised contempt. “Government, huh? Well, make sure you melt down the key once you put this one away.”

Flag looked down at Red Dart’s bloody face. “Did you have to use such force, Arrow? I think you broke his nose!”

Green Arrow froze in mid-stride. He did not turn around to face Flag. “Must be something funny with the acoustics in this old building, Flag. I could have sworn I just heard a tax-fattened bureaucrat tell me how to do my job. But that just couldn’t be right, could it?”

Flag opened his mouth to reply, but something in Green Arrow’s icy tone made him think better of it.

“Thought not.” Green Arrow continued on his way. He picked up his bow, and turned it over in his hands, as if examining the damage. As he did so, he whispered over his shoulder to Captain Boomerang.

“Want to tell me what all that was about?”

Boomerang did a double-take. “Eh? Whadda yer mean?”

“Pretend for a moment I’m not as dumb as the costume makes me look,” Green Arrow whispered. “It was obvious you were trying to protect me back there. Why?”

Boomerang fumbled for a moment. He thought of denying it, but realized he was had. He had to come up with a lie. “Er — you were outnumbered, wasn’t yer? It dint seem fair.”

“Fair.” Green Arrow repeated. “Right, Boomer. I buy that one. Pardon me while I go put a down payment on the Verrazano Bridge.”

Captain Boomerang watched Green Arrow stalk out of the room. Out of the corner of his eye, Rick Flag watched, too. This did not bode well for the program. Not one bit.